Now now ...let's all just be friends.
For those that don't know, SNAME is the Society of Naval Architects and
Marine Engineers. The PE is the new Naval Architecture Professional
Engineer license (requires engineering degree, followed by passing the FE
(Fundamentals of Engineering) exam, followed by 4+ years of experience
(unless they changed the rules recently), then finally the passing of the PE
exam). Note that this is a STATE GOVERNMENT issue, not a Federal issue.
That means different states will write different rules about what the PE is
required for, if anything at all. Most states do NOT require it. States
that DO require it don't enforce it for small craft, which is (I believe)
defined to 200' and less. Again, those rules will vary by the state, so
take this as general knowledge only.
For all those people doing small craft design, like even Scotty (I disagree
on his self-ordained 'amateur' rating), the bottom line in the above text is
that it DOES NOT APPLY to you. If you are pursuing a career in which you
may DESIGN one or more aspects of ships 200' and up, then it applies in the
states that decided to make it apply. The 200' rule is different by state.
Can't remember which, but one of them went as short as 60', another 120'.
Getting your PE is just a bit of CYA so you can continue your work unheeded
should the rules change. This is more important if you are contracting your
work to others, since you probably can't get liability insurance without it
if the state you operate out of requires the license. MOST OFTEN, when you
work for someone else or some other company, no PE is required. Companies
often have NOBODY with a PE, but are self-insuring or can obtain insurance
anyway (more difficult if you are working alone.)
Now, on to Scotty's question ...what does SNAME think of people like him?
Can't speak for the bylaws, but SNAME has tons and tons of publications that
apply to small craft. Maybe not quite as small as Scotty's typical boat,
but the theory applies anyway. Sounds open minded to me, except that SNAME
has entrance requirements for joining. One of the reasons for joining is so
that you can contribute. I expect that is the primary reason that they have
entrance requirements, like most professional organizations. I'm pretty
sure they'll sell the documents to anybody but they cost more if you are not
a member. Being a member requires a couple of recommendation letters and
at least being enrolled in a yacht design or naval architecture school, or
having graduated from one. ...oh, and money of course. The money gets you
periodicals and discount rates on literature ..just like most professional
organizations.
BTW, comments about SNAME also apply to the American Boat and Yacht Council
(ABYC) I believe. Between these two organizations, you have so much good
information to read that it's unlikely that you'll ever cover it all, in
this lifetime anyway. Join if you can, buy docs you want/need otherwise.
Brian
"Backyard Renegade" wrote in message
m...
steveb wrote in message
. ..
"D MacPherson" lifted the
trapdoor, peered around and wrote:
If I read Scotty's post correctly, I think he is referring to the
general
omission of "hobbyist" level sources for training in yacht design,
rather
than anything regarding newsgroups.
You may be right, but I read that he was asking if he would be
discouraged
from posting "here" ie. in this ng, otherwise the reference to "flames"
doesn't make much sense. Oh well, I'm sure he will say 
steveb
What I am really getting to I think is what as Marine Architects, and
Marine Engineers, PE's etc. do you think of someone like myself
building, designing, and even selling plans for a few small boats?
Keeping in mind that I do abide by USCG regs and test my boats, full
size, on the water, before I expose the public to them. If I am
reading correctly, SNAME members should not deal with the likes of me
at all. I am not trying to make this thread about just SNAME, I was
actually hoping to hear from Jaques' and other schooled folks in the
business.
Scotty